During the Artisanal Miners’ Day (Journée de l’artisan minier – JAM) held in Gaoua in July 2023, Commander Dindané Philippe from the National Office for the Security of Mining Sites (Office National de Sécurisation des Sites Miniers – ONASSIM) led a panel discussion on the issue of security at artisanal mining sites. The theme of the panel was “Conflict prevention in artisanal mining”. The aim of the panel was to explain the security problems on artisanal mining sites and the role of ONASSIM as the body responsible for securing mining sites.
Many sources have indicated that artisanal mining is involved in one way or another in the financing of terrorism. As proof, mining sites have been attacked by armed terrorist groups. Examples include the attack on Solhan (Yagha province) in June 2021, Kougdiguin (Bouroum commune) in April 2022 and Alga in Bam province in June 2022. Many other sites have been attacked, but the lack of statistics makes it difficult to make an assessment.
Mines closed because of terrorism
The industrial mines are not to be forgotten. The Nétiana, Ouaré and Youga mines have been closed due to insecurity. Taparko and Karma have closed temporarily due to terrorist attacks.
It should also be noted that some artisanal sites, despite being located in areas under terrorist control, have not been affected by the attacks. It is therefore possible that artisanal miners at these sites are paying rents to the terrorists, either willingly or by force. Some observers point out that these sites are also seen as potential retreats for terrorists.
What’s more, the growth of terrorism has led to a resurgence in organised crime. The routes leading to the artisanal sites are potentially crime-prone because a lot of money circulates there, attracting major bandits. The robbery of a gold buyer in Djikando (Poni province) in 2021 is believed to have been the cause of the conflict, which resulted in the deaths of 9 people and the devastation of a large part of the site.
In addition to terrorism and organised crime, insecurity at mining sites is also caused by explosions, landslides and flooding. Examples include the rockfall at Dossi (Commune of Boni) which caused 4 deaths on 22 October 2020, the rockfall at Gassin (Commune of Tougouria) which caused 27 deaths on 14 October 2022, and the rockfall at Gorin (Commune of Tikaré) on 23 October 2022 which caused 2 deaths.
The explosives used by artisanal miners are stored in unsafe conditions, and accidental explosions occur. On 21 February 2022, an explosion at the Gongombiro site (Poni province) caused 60 deaths and 83 injuries.
Drowning has not been forgotten either. On 15 July 2021 in Bantara (Commune of Kampti), 9 gold miners drowned in a tunnel, and 8 died of the same cause at the Perkoa industrial zinc mine on 16 April 2022.
In terms of fires, there were more than 300 deaths between 2010 and 2020. In 2022 alone, more than 140 people died as a result of fires.
ONASSIM was created in 2013
Article 135 of the Mining Code stipulates that the State must ensure the safety of mining sites. To better combat the various forms of insecurity in the mining sector, the government created the National Office for the Security of Mining Sites (ONASSIM) in December 2013. It is the body responsible for ensuring the security of mining sites in Burkina Faso.
ONASSIM’s tasks include protecting mining sites, in particular people and their property, and mining infrastructure throughout the country; maintaining and re-establishing law and order on the perimeter of mining sites; ensuring the safe transfer of mining products, funds and personnel from mining sites on mission; preventing insecurity, in particular by raising awareness and working with mining stakeholders; and combating all forms of crime on mining sites.
Although its tasks are noble, ONASSIM has not yet been operational since its creation. However, it does provide security for two industrial mining sites, and carries out awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for players in the mining sector.
ONASSIM remains a major challenge at a time when supplying the mines is becoming a headache.
Youl Georges
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